MSNBC Building Prime-Time Talk Show Around a Familiar — and Controversial — TV Actor

MSNBC is creating a prime-time talk show for an actor who has been a fixture on television in recent years — and who has attracted his share of headlines and controversy surrounding his off-air escapades.

Mediaite reports that the cable news channel is readying a weekly show for "30 Rock" star Alec Baldwin, which the story says will feature "a large dose of Baldwin’s outspoken liberal politics."

The untitled show is being created with the 10 p.m. Friday slot in mind, the story notes. Baldwin has a long history with NBCUniversal, including having starred on "30 Rock" for seven seasons on NBC and being a frequent guest host on "Saturday Night Live."

His political point of view also would fit MSNBC’s tendency to air progressive and liberal viewpoints, the piece notes.

The 10 p.m. hour on MSNBC is currently occupied by Lawrence O’Donnell, although his show only airs Monday through Thursday. Currently "Lockup," a prison documentary, airs on Friday evenings.